Fuel vaporizing device



Dec. 30, 1952 z. o. CANTRELL FUEL vAPoRrzING DEVICE Filed Feb. 16, 1951 F76. 3. Z5 2z' IN VEN TOR.

TTOeA/EKS Patented Dec. 30, 1,952

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FUEL VAPORIZING DEVICE Zell O. Cantrell, Yuba City, Calif.

Application February 16, 1951, Serial No. 211,231

(Cl. 21B-38) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to vaporizing devices, and more particularly to an electrical fuel vapordzing device for use internal combustion engines. y

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved vaporizing device for use in the intake manifold of a motor vehicle to facilitate the starting of the vehicle engine in cold weather, the fuel vaporizing device being very simple in construction, lbeing easy to install, and being compact in size.

A further object of the invention to provide an improved fuel vaporizer for an internal combustion engine, said vaporizer being inexpensive to manufacture, being ruggedin construction, requiring very simple tools to install, and providing sufficient heat to vaporize gasoline and similar fuel to facilitate the starting of the internal combustion engine with which it is em ployed under cold weather conditions.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claim, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 lis a side elevational view showing the lower portion of a carburetor and a portion of the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine equipped with improved fuel vaporizing means according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssectional View lshowing a modied form of fuel vaporiz'ing device according tothe present invention.

Referring to the drawings, II designates the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine employed in a motor vehicle, and I2 designates a conventional carburetor which is ordinarily connected to the intake manifold l I through respective flanged connector members I3 and I4 provided on the manifold and on the carburetor. As shown in Figure l, the flanged connection element I3 is at the top end of lan upwardly extending conduit element I5 provided on the manifold II. The flanged element I4 is part of the base of the carburetor I2, and said element I4 is connected to the element I3 by bolts, such as the bolts I6 shown in Figure l.

In order to facilitate the starting of the motor vehicle engine under cold weather conditions, suitable fuel vaporizing means may be employed which, in accordance with the present invention,

posed in the connection between the carbureto-r i2 and the intake manifold II. For example, a flat, oval, metal body I'I may be disposed between the flanges I3 and I4 and secured therebetween by the bolts I6, las shown in Figure l, said body being formed with a central opening I8 in registry with the bores of the lower portion of the carburetor I2 and the upstanding conduit element I5. Designated at I9 is a heater cartridge which comprises a tubular shell 20 having a closed end, shown at 2I, and formed with an externally threaded portion 22 near its other end which is threaded through the Wall of the member Il, as shown, whereby the shell 20 is Isup'- ported in a diametrically extending portion in the opening I. The end of the shell 2U adjacent the externally threaded portion 22 is formed with a hexagonal flange 23 enabling the shell member to be rotated by means of a suitable wrench. Designated at 24 is an electrical heating element which is connected at one end to the wall 2l, as shown at 25, and which has a terminal 26 at its other end extending through the external end of the shell 2D. As shown in Figure 3, the heating element 24 is supported axially in the shell 2B and is surrounded by suitable refractory, electrically insulating material, such as refractory clay. The refractory, heatinsulating material is designated in Figure 3 at 2l. Designated at 28 is a suitable electrically insulating filler material disposed between the sheathing of the terminal wire 26 and the wall surface of the internal bore of member 20 adjacent the open end of said Shell member.

As shown in Figure 3, the terminal 25 is grounded, and the terminal 26 is connected by a suitable conductor, not shown, to the ungrounded terminal of the vehicle battery, a suitable control switch being interposed between the terminal 26 and said ungrounded battery terminal, said control switch being preferably located on the vehicle dashboard. When it is desired to startA the vehicle in cold weather, lit is merely necessary to close the switch, thereby energizing the heater winding 24, whereby heat is transmitted from the cartridge I9 4to the fuel passing from the carbureter into the intake manifold Il. Vaporization of the fuel occurs relatively rapidly, enablingthe engine to start without imposing undue drain on the vehicle battery by excessive use of the engine starting motor.

If so desired, additional cartridges I9 may be employed in the manner shown in Figure 1 For example, a cartridge may be disposed in the ver tical portion I5, and still another cartridge may ibe disposed in the lower portion of the intake manifold Il in vertical alignment with the intake conduit I of the manifold Il. Where a plurality of cartridges I9 are employed, as shown for example in Figure 1, the heating elements of the cartridges may be connected in parallel to the ungrounded terminal of the vehicle battery through the same control switch.

Referring. now. to Figure 4, an alternative form of the invention comprises the tubular shell 29 containing the electrical heating element, said shell having one closed end, which may be formed lby crimping the end of the shell closed, as shown at 2l. The end of the heating element is electrically connected to the crimped end 2|. The other end of shell 20 extends through a compression nipple 30 having one threaded end 22 engaged in the metal body Il and having a clamping nut 3| engaged on its other threaded end 32.y A wedge ring` 33.15 positioned between nut 3l andthe end. 32 of nipple 39 in the manner shown,` whereby the shell 29. Will be securely clampedto the nipple Joy .tightening the nut. 3l. The electrical heating element is supported, in the shell 2U' in the same manner as described in connection .with Figures l to 3. The arrangement of Figure 4 allows the. effective lengthV of the heating cartridge intheY body I7 to be adjusted to any value desired.

Whilecertain specific embodiments :of an im- ,proved fuel vaporizing device for internal. combustion engines has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within thespirit of the invention may occur to those skilled inthe art. Therefore. itis intended that no limitations be placed 4 on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A fuel vaporizing device for internal combustion engines comprising an elongated tubular metal cartridge having one end open and the other end closed, a flange encircling said cartridge adjacent the open end thereof, external threads on said cartridge extending inwardly from said ange and terminating at a point spaced from said iiange, an electrical heating resistance disposed axially within said cartridge and having one end connected to said closed end of said cartridge, the other end of said resistance extending out of said open end of said cartridge, the portionv ofsaid resistance adjacent said other end thereof carrying a sheathing, electrically insulating filler material disposed within said cartridge adjacent the open end and surrounding the sheathed portion of said resistance, and a body of refractory and electrically.insulatingmaterial disposed Within said cartridge adjacent said closed end in abutting relation with respect to said filler material and surroundingly supporting the unsheathed portionof said resistance. ZELL O. CANTRELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofA record in the le of this patent.:

UNITED STATES. PATENTS Number Name Date 1,427,094.l Daniel Aug. 29, 1922 1,506,695 Tyler Aug. 26, 1924:I 1,529,716 Prefontaine Mar. 17, 1925 1,572,621 Siegfried Feb. 9, 1926 

